Hundreds flee brush fire in Angeles National Forest north of Glendora

The Tecolote Fire burns in the Angeles National Forest north of Azusa on Sunday.
Micah Escamilla —Staff Photographer

ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST >> A brush fire which rapidly grew to 400 acres forced campers, picnickers, hikers and backpackers to scramble out of the most popular recreation area in the Angeles National Forest on Sunday, fire officials said.

The Tecolote Fire began at 2:25 p.m in the San Gabriel Canyon, 18 miles north of Azusa, and was burning into the forest away from the homes and communities located at the base of the canyon, the U.S Forest Service said in a written statement. No homes have been threatened.

Fire officials still don’t know what caused the fire but say it likely started near Highway 39 and at 8 p.m. it was only five percent contained.

“Tomorrow, at first light they’ll get dropped off to other sides of fire to dig containment lines and extinguish hot spots,” said U.S. Forest Service spokesman Nathan Judy.

Steep terrain and dry conditions posed a challenge for firefighters. Handcrews were seen digging on ridge closest to the highway as helicopter and smoke, which had an orange hue from the setting sun, hovered above.

“It’s really nasty terrain that our folks can’t get up,” Judy said.

Judy said the fire could have been worse if the fire had occurred earlier in the day. Charred areas from the Coop Fire helped slowed down the rate of growth, he said.

“With it being so late in the day, it’s slowed progression.” Judy said.

That wasn’t the case when fire was first reported. It was initially at 10 acres, then 20 acres, before quickly spreading up mountainside in 10 minutes to 100 acres.

“It ran up and then slowed itself down when it hit those ridge lines,” Judy said.

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Authorities in Glendora and Azusa said the fire does not pose a threat to residents.

Forest Service rangers, police and the California Highway Patrol scrambled to evacuate the popular swimming holes, picnic grounds, trails and back-country campgrounds along the west fork and north fork of the San Gabriel River. People were evacuated from camping near creek in bottom of canyon. Those staying at Coldbrook Campground, which has 22 sites, and privately owned cabins were evacuated as a precaution. People staying at Crystal Lake campground have been advised but not are evacuated at this time, Judy said.

A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s helicopter searched for cars and hikers in Bear Canyon trail but didn’t see anyone.

Officials have closed Highway 39 to all traffic, including to residents.

A total of 10 aircraft — six planes, four helicopters — and 200 firefighters were battling the fire in the initial response, Judy said.

The fire is burning in a northwest direction in the Tecolote flats, west of the Shoemaker Fire which began on Thursday and has charred 190 acres in the Angeles National Forest. That fire is 90 percent contained.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department has sent strike teams to help fight the fire. Cal Fire and their inmate crews also responded.